Duval Times

The City of Jacksonville is taking precautions as the National Weather Service forecasts dangerously cold temperatures in Northeast Florida. With wind chills making it feel like the teens and 20s, a Freeze/Hard Freeze Warning and Wind Chill Advisory are in effect. In response, the Emergency Preparedness Division has activated its Phase 3 Cold Weather Emergency Plan.

To provide relief to residents without adequate heat, the City of Jacksonville Warming Center will be open overnight from 7 p.m. on Saturday, January 20, 2024, to 11 a.m. on Sunday, January 21, 2024. The center is located at the Legends Center on 5130 Soutel Drive, Jacksonville, FL 32208.

Transportation to the warming center will be provided by JTA buses. Shuttles will operate from various locations starting at 7 p.m. and ending at 9 p.m. on Saturday, January 20, 2024. The shuttle stops include:

- Downtown – Jacksonville Regional Transportation Center, 100 LaVilla Center Drive, 32204

- Northwest – Armsdale Park-n-Ride, 3191 Armsdale Road, 32218

- West – Orange Park Mall bus stop

- Arlington – Regency Square Mall bus hub

- Routes 3, 4 & 22 also service the Legends Center.

Residents utilizing the warming center are advised to bring essential items such as air mattresses, blankets, pillows, snacks, medication, games, toys, books, and hygiene and comfort items. Passengers on JTA routes or shuttles are limited to what they can carry.

In addition to the City of Jacksonville Warming Center, several non-profit partners are offering weather shelter services to the homeless population. These shelters include:

- City Rescue Mission at 234 W. State Street, 32202

- Mission House at 465 11th Ave. N, Jacksonville Beach, 32250, with overnight operations at Palms Presbyterian Church, 3410 3rd St S, Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250 (*NEW/UPDATED LOCATION*)

- Sulzbacher Center at 611 East Adams St., 32202 for men, and 5455 Springfield Blvd. 32208 for women and children

- Trinity Rescue Mission at 622 W. Union Street, 32202

During normal business hours, all libraries across the county will also serve as warming centers. Further information can be found at jaxready.com/winterweather.

As the cold weather sets in, it is crucial for residents without adequate heat to seek shelter and take necessary precautions to stay safe. The City of Jacksonville and its partners are working to ensure that everyone has access to a warm and secure place during this extreme weather event.

"We want to ensure the safety and well-being of our residents during this period of extreme cold," said the spokesperson for the Emergency Preparedness Division. "The City of Jacksonville Warming Center and the various shelters operated by our non-profit partners are essential in providing a lifeline for those in need. We encourage individuals without adequate heat to utilize these resources and take precautions to stay warm."